Deloitte: 70 percent of US consumers binge watch TV, bingers average five episodes per sitting

Nearly half of Americans subscribe to streaming media services, highest in survey history. Influence of online reviews and social media eclipsing TV advertising for many millennials. Two-thirds of millennials value interactions with friends on social media as much as time spent in-person.

NEW YORK, March 23, 2016 — Has America become a marathon nation when it comes to video content consumption? Indications point to “yes.” Seventy percent of US consumers now binge watch an average of five episodes at a time, and almost one-third (31 percent) binge on a weekly basis according to Deloitte’s 10th “Digital Democracy Survey.” In addition to binge watching, nearly half (or 46 percent) of Americans now subscribe to streaming video services, with millennials aged 14-25 spending more time streaming video content than watching live television.

Over one-third of baby boomers aged 50-68 (35 percent) who binge watch TV do so once a week, and average four episodes per sitting

Over half (53 percent) of US consumers who binge watch choose television dramas

The percentage of streaming subscribers who ranked the service among their top three most valued subscriptions has tripled in the last three years (61 percent today, up from 17 percent in 2012)

“The proliferation of online content shows no signs of slowing down and the consumer appetite to consume content is equally voracious,” said Gerald Belson, vice chairman and US Media and Entertainment Sector leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP. “The survey data indicates that consumers are more willing than ever to invest in services to watch whenever, wherever, and on whatever device they choose.”

Highlighting Americans’ preferences for entertainment devices, Deloitte’s “Digital Democracy Survey” examines emerging behaviors across generations, specifically millennials, who are setting new benchmarks for how much media content is consumed and paving the way for older generations to follow. The survey also looks at the value consumers place on products and services; as well as attitudes and behaviors towards advertising and social networks, and mobile technologies. It includes influencers of consumer buying decisions, and how consumers are using their devices. Among the findings are:

Nearly three in four millennials aged 19-32 are more influenced in their buying decisions by social media recommendations than TV ads

Of millennials aged 19-25, 71 percent indicated that their buying decisions are influenced by online reviews from people they do not know, which is higher than the number who are influenced by TV ads

More than one-third of consumers under age 50 and nearly half of millennials say their buying decisions are influenced by an endorsement from an online personality

Social media’s real-life impact:

Social media sites have surpassed television as the most popular source of news for millennials

Two-thirds of millennials say they value their time interacting with friends on social media sites as much as their time spent in-person

Eighty-five percent of US consumers are currently on social media and 58 percent check their social networks daily

If you don’t multitask when you watch tv, you’re in the minority:

More than 90 percent of US consumers are now multitasking while watching TV

Millennials admitted to engaging in an average of four additional activities while watching TV, primarily surfing the Internet, using social networks, and text messaging

Thirty-three percent of all consumers typically browse the web while watching TV

Fewer than one-quarter of consumers’ multitasking activities are directly related to the program being watched, indicating that second screen activities have yet to realize their full potential

“The on-the-go, always-connected consumer is driving cultural changes in content consumption that fundamentally impact how companies connect with and engage consumers,” added Kevin Westcott, principal and US Media and Entertainment Consulting leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP. “These behavioral changes combined with the shift towards mobile-based consumer experiences are disrupting traditional business models—while at the same time paving the way for newer opportunities for technology, media, and entertainment companies to adapt and evolve.”

The “Digital Democracy Survey” was fielded by an independent research firm from Nov. 5-19, 2015 and employed an online methodology among 2,205 US consumers. All data is weighted back to the most recent US census to give a representative view of what consumers are doing. For more information on the US edition of Deloitte’s “Digital Democracy Survey,” please visit www.deloitte.com/us/tmttrends. Connect with us on Twitter: @DeloitteTMT and #tmttrends.

About Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice
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